Members of different generations visit Arizona National Memorial Cemetery to reflect on Memorial Day
This Memorial Day at Arizona National Memorial Cemetery brought together generations of families, all for different reasons.
Everyone at the cemetery pays their respects to either loved ones or strangers.
Many of them are teaching the younger generation the true meaning of Memorial Day.
"When you look around and see about 30,000 flags, it's heartbreaking as well as heartwarming," Brian Hutchinson said.
Thousands of flags spanning 225 acres serve as a memorial to generations of military personnel who have served and sacrificed everything.
"I graduated from high school in 1966. The next week, half my class went to Vietnam. They weren't ready for it. A lot of them are lying in the cemetery now," says Nancy Reed.
Each person paying their respects has their own story to tell.
After losing the love of their lives, Nancy and Brian find her again where they least expected it. In line at Costco.
On Memorial Day, they come to the cemetery to visit their spouses together for the first time.
"That's one of the things we found in common. Really, our spouses? They agree that we should be together," Reed says.
Families like the Rasmussens want their four children to learn the meaning and significance of Memorial Day, which is often lost during the three-day weekend.
"It's not just a barbecue. It's not just a day off work. We live in an amazing country because of what's around us right now," says Melissa Rasmussen.
The family of six went around and corrected the fallen flags.
"All these people fought for us. We must respect them today and every day," Rasmussen said.
Some want to be alone and grieve, while others spend the day with family and clean up the memorials of loved ones and strangers.
"We go over dozens of graves that it looks like no one has visited. So now I keep this in my car pocket, and that's what I do," Reed says of the brush she keeps with her to wipe dust off graves.
Grandparents Mike and Christine Tailleford instill in young children a sense of sacrifice that many have made.
"We tried to explain to six-year-olds what it all means and why. Freedom doesn't come cheap. It costs a lot of lives," said Mike Tailford.
The coins on each marker have a different meaning.
Penny means someone came by.
The nickels and dimes mean they served in the army together.
Quarters are left by those who were near the serviceman at the time of his death.
"Goosebumps. I just got goosebumps. It's incredible to think about the dedication and the people and the families that have given so much. It's people's sons and daughters, people's husbands," Joellen Newton said.